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439th Operations Group

January 01, 1970

The 439th Operations Group is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit. It is the flying component of the Twenty-Second Air Force 439th Airlift Wing, stationed at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts.

439th Operations Group
Emblem of the 439th Operations Group
Active1943–1946; 1949–1951; 1952–1957; 1965–1968; 1992—present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force Reserve
The trademark foliage of New England appears to surround a Patriot Wing C-5 preparing to land at Westover.
A view of Westover's flightline full of 439th OG C-5s

The unit's World War II predecessor unit, the 439th Troop Carrier Group was a C-47 Skytrain transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force in Western Europe. During Operation Overlord, two serials of aircraft, one of 45 and the other of 36 from the 439th TCG were dispatched late in the evening of 5 June to drop the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the first hour of the invasion behind Utah Beach.

Difficult weather conditions and heavy anti-aircraft fire were encountered and three aircraft failed to return. A reinforcement mission with gliders was flown on the following day, with 50 C-47s towing 30 Horsa and 20 CG-4 Wacos. The 439th later received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its work during these two days.

Overview edit

The group operates 8 C-5M Super Galaxys, flown by the 337th Airlift Squadron. The peacetime mission includes recruiting, training and supervision of personnel to assure mission readiness.[1]

The 439th Operations Group is capable of providing worldwide air movement of troops, supplies, equipment and medical patients. Airlift also involves airdrop and combat offloading operations.

Units edit

The 439th Operations Group consists of the following units:

  • 337th Airlift Squadron - C-5M Super Galaxy
  • 439th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
  • 439th Aeromedical Staging Squadron
  • 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron
  • 439th Operations Support Squadron
  • 439th Airlift Control Flight

History edit

For additional lineage and history, see 439th Airlift Wing

World War II edit

 
Douglas C-47A-80-DL Serial 43-15159 of the 94th Troop Carrier Squadron in Normady Invasion Markings.
 
C-47s of the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron practicing the "pick up" method of towing a glider, Upottery, May 1944.

Trained in the U.S. with C-47s, 1943-Jan1944. Moved to England, February–March 1944, for duty with Ninth Air Force.[2]

The group began operations by dropping paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy on D-Day (6 June 1944) and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day. The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French citation for these missions. After the Normandy invasion the group ferried supplies in the United Kingdom until the air echelon was sent to Italy in July to transport cargo to Rome and evacuate wounded personnel. The detachment dropped paratroops of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment along the Riviera in support of the invasion of Southern France on 15 August, and later towed gliders to provide reinforcements; for these missions the group earned another citation from the French government. After the air echelon returned to England on 25 August the group resumed its cargo missions.[2]

After moving to France in September, the group dropped paratroops of the 82nd Airborne Division near Nijmegen and towed gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne attack on the Netherlands. In December, it participated in the Battle of the Bulge by releasing gliders with supplies for the 101st Airborne Division near Bastogne. When the Allies made the air assault across the Rhine River in March 1945, each aircraft of the 439th towed two gliders with troops of the 17th Airborne Division and released them near Wesel. The group also hauled food, clothing, medicine, gasoline, ordnance equipment, and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals. It converted from C-47s to C-46s and the 439th used the new aircraft to transport displaced persons from Germany to France and Belgium after V-E Day.[2]

The group returned to the U.S. during the period July–September 1945, and trained with C-46 aircraft until inactivated on 10 Jun 1946.[2]

Air Force Reserve edit

From June 1949, the group trained in troop carrier operations until mobilized in April 1951, its personnel being used as fillers for USAF organizations worldwide during the Korean War.[2]

Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952, the group trained in fighter-bomber operations until phased out in September 1957 when the wing adopted the Tri-Deputate organization.

On 8 January 1966 the 439th replaced the 1602d Air Transport Group at Rhein-Main AB, Germany. The group controlled assigned and attached Military Airlift Command airlift units at Rhein-Main, provided air transport and air evacuation services within and occasionally outside Europe. Earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for May–June 1967 support during the Middle East crisis.[2]

Since 1 August 1992 the group has trained for and flown global airlift operations, transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies and participating in numerous exercises.[2]

The group received its first C-5M Super Galaxy on June 2, 2017. Marking the first of eight for the unit.[1] On September 7, 2017 the unit's last C-5A left Westover for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona for retirement.[3]

Lineage edit

  • Established as 439th Troop Carrier Group on 14 May 1943
Activated on 1 June 1943
Inactivated on 10 June 1946
  • Redesignated 439th Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 19 May 1949
Activated in the Reserve on 27 June 1949
Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951
Inactivated on 3 April 1951
  • Redesignated 439th Fighter-Bomber Group on 26 May 1952
Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952
Inactivated on 16 November 1957
  • Redesignated 439th Military Airlift Group and activated on 27 December 1965 (not organized)
Organized on 8 January 1966
Inactivated on 24 December 1968
  • Redesignated 439th Operations Group and activated in the Reserve, on 1 August 1992.

Assignments edit

Components edit

Group

  • 52d Military Airlift Group: attached 8 January 1966 – 24 December 1968

Squadrons

  • 55th Military Airlift Squadron: 8 January 1966 – 24 December 1968
  • 58th Aerial Port Squadron: 1 August 1992 – 1 October 2002
  • 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron: 1 August 1992 – 1 October 1994
  • 85th Aerial Port Squadron: 1 August 1992 – 1 January 1995
  • 91st Troop Carrier (later Fighter-Bomber) Squadron (L4): 1 June 1943 – 10 June 1946; 27 June 1949 – 3 April 1951; 15 June 1952 – 1 April 1954
  • 92d Troop Carrier (later Fighter-Bomber) Squadron (J8): 1 June 1943 – 10 June 1946; 27 June 1949 – 3 April 1951; 15 June 1952 – 1 April 1954
  • 93d Troop Carrier Squadron (3B): 1 June 1943 – 10 June 1946; 27 June 1949 – 3 April 1951; 15 June 1952 – 16 November 1957
  • 94th Troop Carrier Squadron (D8): 1 June 1943 – 10 June 1946; 27 June 1949 – 3 April 1951
  • 337th Airlift Squadron: 1 August 1992–present
  • 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron: 1 October 1994 – present
  • 439th Air Terminal Squadron (later 439th Aerial Port Squadron): 8 January 1966 – 24 December 1968
  • 439th Materiel Squadron: 8 January 1966 – 24 December 1968
  • 471st Fighter-Bomber Squadron: 1 April 1954 – 1 July 1957
  • 472d Fighter-Bomber Squadron: 1 April 1954 – 16 November 1957

Stations edit

Aircraft edit

References edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ a b c "First Patriot Wing C-5M joins flight line". Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Robertson, Patsy. "439 Operations Group (AFRC)". Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "C-5A departs Westover ARB for retirement". Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4
  • Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

External links edit

  Media related to 439th Troop Carrier Group (United States Army Air Forces) at Wikimedia Commons

January 01, 1970
439th, operations, group, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, january, 2013, learn, when, remove, this, message, a. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations January 2013 Learn how and when to remove this message The 439th Operations Group is an active United States Air Force Reserve unit It is the flying component of the Twenty Second Air Force 439th Airlift Wing stationed at Westover Air Reserve Base Massachusetts 439th Operations GroupEmblem of the 439th Operations GroupActive1943 1946 1949 1951 1952 1957 1965 1968 1992 presentCountryUnited StatesBranchUnited States Air Force Reserve The trademark foliage of New England appears to surround a Patriot Wing C 5 preparing to land at Westover A view of Westover s flightline full of 439th OG C 5s The unit s World War II predecessor unit the 439th Troop Carrier Group was a C 47 Skytrain transport unit assigned to Ninth Air Force in Western Europe During Operation Overlord two serials of aircraft one of 45 and the other of 36 from the 439th TCG were dispatched late in the evening of 5 June to drop the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the first hour of the invasion behind Utah Beach Difficult weather conditions and heavy anti aircraft fire were encountered and three aircraft failed to return A reinforcement mission with gliders was flown on the following day with 50 C 47s towing 30 Horsa and 20 CG 4 Wacos The 439th later received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its work during these two days Contents 1 Overview 2 Units 3 History 3 1 World War II 3 2 Air Force Reserve 4 Lineage 4 1 Assignments 4 2 Components 4 3 Stations 4 4 Aircraft 5 References 6 External linksOverview editThe group operates 8 C 5M Super Galaxys flown by the 337th Airlift Squadron The peacetime mission includes recruiting training and supervision of personnel to assure mission readiness 1 The 439th Operations Group is capable of providing worldwide air movement of troops supplies equipment and medical patients Airlift also involves airdrop and combat offloading operations Units editThe 439th Operations Group consists of the following units 337th Airlift Squadron C 5M Super Galaxy 439th Aerospace Medicine Squadron 439th Aeromedical Staging Squadron 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron 439th Operations Support Squadron 439th Airlift Control FlightHistory editFor additional lineage and history see 439th Airlift Wing World War II edit nbsp Douglas C 47A 80 DL Serial 43 15159 of the 94th Troop Carrier Squadron in Normady Invasion Markings nbsp C 47s of the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron practicing the pick up method of towing a glider Upottery May 1944 Trained in the U S with C 47s 1943 Jan1944 Moved to England February March 1944 for duty with Ninth Air Force 2 The group began operations by dropping paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy on D Day 6 June 1944 and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French citation for these missions After the Normandy invasion the group ferried supplies in the United Kingdom until the air echelon was sent to Italy in July to transport cargo to Rome and evacuate wounded personnel The detachment dropped paratroops of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment along the Riviera in support of the invasion of Southern France on 15 August and later towed gliders to provide reinforcements for these missions the group earned another citation from the French government After the air echelon returned to England on 25 August the group resumed its cargo missions 2 After moving to France in September the group dropped paratroops of the 82nd Airborne Division near Nijmegen and towed gliders carrying reinforcements during the airborne attack on the Netherlands In December it participated in the Battle of the Bulge by releasing gliders with supplies for the 101st Airborne Division near Bastogne When the Allies made the air assault across the Rhine River in March 1945 each aircraft of the 439th towed two gliders with troops of the 17th Airborne Division and released them near Wesel The group also hauled food clothing medicine gasoline ordnance equipment and other supplies to the front lines and evacuated patients to rear zone hospitals It converted from C 47s to C 46s and the 439th used the new aircraft to transport displaced persons from Germany to France and Belgium after V E Day 2 The group returned to the U S during the period July September 1945 and trained with C 46 aircraft until inactivated on 10 Jun 1946 2 Air Force Reserve edit From June 1949 the group trained in troop carrier operations until mobilized in April 1951 its personnel being used as fillers for USAF organizations worldwide during the Korean War 2 Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952 the group trained in fighter bomber operations until phased out in September 1957 when the wing adopted the Tri Deputate organization On 8 January 1966 the 439th replaced the 1602d Air Transport Group at Rhein Main AB Germany The group controlled assigned and attached Military Airlift Command airlift units at Rhein Main provided air transport and air evacuation services within and occasionally outside Europe Earned an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for May June 1967 support during the Middle East crisis 2 Since 1 August 1992 the group has trained for and flown global airlift operations transporting personnel equipment and supplies and participating in numerous exercises 2 The group received its first C 5M Super Galaxy on June 2 2017 Marking the first of eight for the unit 1 On September 7 2017 the unit s last C 5A left Westover for Davis Monthan Air Force Base Arizona for retirement 3 Lineage editEstablished as 439th Troop Carrier Group on 14 May 1943 Activated on 1 June 1943 Inactivated on 10 June 1946 Redesignated 439th Troop Carrier Group Medium on 19 May 1949 Activated in the Reserve on 27 June 1949 Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951 Inactivated on 3 April 1951 Redesignated 439th Fighter Bomber Group on 26 May 1952 Activated in the Reserve on 15 June 1952 Inactivated on 16 November 1957 Redesignated 439th Military Airlift Group and activated on 27 December 1965 not organized Organized on 8 January 1966 Inactivated on 24 December 1968 Redesignated 439th Operations Group and activated in the Reserve on 1 August 1992 Assignments edit I Troop Carrier Command 1 June 1943 Ninth Air Force c 10 March 1944 IX Troop Carrier Command 26 August 1944 I Troop Carrier Command September 1945 IX Troop Carrier Command c December 1945 Tactical Air Command 21 March 1946 Third Air Force unknown 1946 10 June 1946 439th Troop Carrier Wing 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 439th Fighter Bomber Wing 15 June 1952 16 November 1957 Military Air Transport Service 27 December 1965 not organized 322d Air Division 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 439th Airlift Wing 1 August 1992 present Components edit Group 52d Military Airlift Group attached 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 Squadrons 55th Military Airlift Squadron 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 58th Aerial Port Squadron 1 August 1992 1 October 2002 74th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron 1 August 1992 1 October 1994 85th Aerial Port Squadron 1 August 1992 1 January 1995 91st Troop Carrier later Fighter Bomber Squadron L4 1 June 1943 10 June 1946 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 15 June 1952 1 April 1954 92d Troop Carrier later Fighter Bomber Squadron J8 1 June 1943 10 June 1946 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 15 June 1952 1 April 1954 93d Troop Carrier Squadron 3B 1 June 1943 10 June 1946 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 15 June 1952 16 November 1957 94th Troop Carrier Squadron D8 1 June 1943 10 June 1946 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 337th Airlift Squadron 1 August 1992 present 439th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron 1 October 1994 present 439th Air Terminal Squadron later 439th Aerial Port Squadron 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 439th Materiel Squadron 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 471st Fighter Bomber Squadron 1 April 1954 1 July 1957 472d Fighter Bomber Squadron 1 April 1954 16 November 1957 Stations edit Alliance Army Air Field Nebraska 1 June 1943 Sedalia Army Air Field Missouri 15 June 1943 Alliance Army Air Field Nebraska 2 August 1943 Laurinburg Maxton Army Air Base North Carolina 16 December 1943 Baer Field Indiana 2 14 February 1944 RAF Balderton AAF 482 England 10 March 1944 RAF Upottery AAF 462 England 26 April 1944 Juvincourt Airfield A 68 France 8 September 1944 Lonray Airfield A 45 France 28 September 1944 Chateaudun Airfield A 39 France 4 November 1944 7 September 1945 Baer Field Indiana 22 September 1945 Sedalia Army Air Field Missouri 7 October 1945 10 June 1946 Selfridge Air Force Base Michigan 27 June 1949 3 April 1951 15 June 1952 16 November 1957 Rhein Main Air Base West Germany 8 January 1966 24 December 1968 Westover Air Reserve Base Massachusetts 1 August 1992 present Aircraft edit C 47 Skytrain 1943 1945 C 46 Commando 1945 1946 1952 1955 TC 46 Commando 1949 1951 F 51 Mustang 1953 1954 T 33 Shooting Star 1953 1954 F 80 Shooting Star 1953 1956 F 84 Thunderjet 1956 1957 F 86 Sabre 1957 TC 47 Skytrain 1957 C 119 Flying Boxcar 1957 C 118 Liftmaster 1966 1968 C 124 Globemaster II 1966 1968 C 131 Samaritan 1966 1968 C 5 Galaxy 1992 2017 3 C 5M Super Galaxy 2017 present 1 References edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency a b c First Patriot Wing C 5M joins flight line Retrieved 28 March 2020 a b c d e f g Robertson Patsy 439 Operations Group AFRC Retrieved 28 March 2020 a b C 5A departs Westover ARB for retirement Retrieved 28 March 2020 Maurer Maurer 1983 Air Force Combat Units of World War II Maxwell AFB Alabama Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 89201 092 4 Johnson David C 1988 U S Army Air Forces Continental Airfields ETO D Day to V E Day Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Maxwell AFB Alabama 439th Operations GroupExternal links edit nbsp Media related to 439th Troop Carrier Group United States Army Air Forces at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 439th Operations Group amp oldid 1205380787, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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